Nominations for candidates for the Prime Minister Designate opened yesterday and will close on Monday 23 December.
The Speaker Lord Fakafanua yesterday sent invitations to all elected representatives to the Legislative Assembly, calling for submissions of nominations to his office before 4.30pm on Monday, 23 December.
The vacancy in the office of the Prime Minister follows the resignation of former Prime Minister, Hon. Huʻakavameiliku (Siaosi ‘Ofa ki Vahafolau Sovaleni) on Monday, 9 December.
"The Speaker has outlined in his letter of invitation to the Elected Representatives to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga the process provided in the Act of the Constitution of Tonga for the proper submission of nomination(s). A nomination’s compliance with legal requirements is of utmost importance as a nomination can be void due to non-compliance," stated the Office of the Speaker.
On Tuesday 24 December, the Speaker will open and read out nominations on the day of the meeting of all elected representatives to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga to elect the Prime Minister Designate.
At a media briefing at St. George Gov't Building yesterday, the Acting PM Hon. Samiu Vaipulu and former PM Hon. Hu'akavameiliku told reporters that they would not be running for the job.
